a happy blog full of sugar, spice and hello kitty nice

On my recent trip to Japan, Harajuku was the top of the list of one of the most fun places I visited. It is internationally the center of Japanese youth culture and fashion and not only was the visit colorful and unique but it was quite a Hello Kitty Foodie adventure as well!

My number one reason for coming to Harajuku was to visit Reissue Cafe! Reissue Cafe is world-famous for their latte art! 💕☕️. Reissue is home to latte artist, Kohei Matsuno. He uses foam and chocolate to make the cutest 2D and 3D latte creations ever! My choice of course was Hello Kitty!

Reissue is located a little off Takeshita Street; the main street in Harajuku that has their famous boutiques. Soon after I visited Reissue, I instantly spotted Eiswelt Gelato! Eiswelt meaning “ice world” in German; had its first store open in Westminster, California in 2016. What makes Eiswelt so special is their character gelato. You can get gelato shaped in cute animals like a teddy, piggy, chicken and bunny! It is only in Japan however that you can get a froggy! I had to get the froggy of course because it was very similar to one of my favorite Sanrio characters, Keroppi! For the froggy gelato, you can choose to either get mint or matcha flavours. I went with matcha; in true Japanese spirit!

One doesn’t visit Harajuku without trying their famous crepes. Marion Crepes first opened up in 1976 as one of the only crepe shops in Harajuku.

Marion Crepes started their crepe revolution in 1976 as one of the only crepe shops in Harajuku. They serve have Japanese-style crepes that are filled with delicious ingredients. I chose to get their Strawberry and Banana Chocolate Cheesecake Cream Crepe! The crepe itself was so soft. It is made with a secret recipe and is truly mouth-watering.

Last bu definitely not least; I visited Pompompurin Cafe! Pompompurin, the Sanrio yellow golden retriever actually has three cafes in Tokyo but the original one is in Takeshita-Dori in Harajuku. The cafe is supercute and filled with bright yellow and brown tones to match PomPomPurin and their menu is filled with Pompompurin inspired dishes and drinks. My choice was the Pompompurin Cafe stew which had a combo of three different stews; carrot stew, squid ink stew and purple sweet potato stew that was topped off with cutest 3D Pompompurin rice 💛!

Harajuku was definitely a cute and colorful culinary Hello Kitty Foodie adventure! I loved visiting all the various cafes and eating the most kawaii creations ever!

Aside from flying on the Hello Kitty plane, visiting Sanrio Puroland and staying at the Hello Kitty hotel room one of the most memorable things I did in Tokyo was visiting the five recommended Sanrio stores in Tokyo. Sanrio Japan has a list of all the Sanrio stores in Japan and there were five they featured and recommended. It became my goal while visiting Tokyo to visit each and every one.

My first visit was the Sanrio Gift Gate Ikebukuro Store. Located near the JR Ikebukuro Station and near Sunshine City in Ikebukuro is this two story Sanrio Gift Gate. It’s a really cute store with a staircase that features Hello Kitty inspired paintings on the wall and a large Hello Kitty plush at the top.

My next Sanrio visit was the Hello Kitty Japan in DiverCity Tokyo Plaza! This is located in Odaiba and I really enjoyed this store because they Odaiba specific items. One of my favorite souvenirs was a Hello Kitty Japan Odaiba tote.

I also liked the Hello Kitty Japan in DiverCity because they had Hello Kitty cafe selling Hello Kitty pancakes, donuts and drinks right next to it!

I next stopped at Hello Kitty Japan at Tokyo Skytree Town Solamachi. Tokyo Skytree in itself is an amazing place to visit because it is the world’s tallest tower at 634 meters! There are various stores and restaurants but the Hello Kitty Japan of course was my favorite to visit.

My fourth Sanrio visit was the Sanrio Gift Gate in Shinjuku! This one had a cool looking store front because there is a gigantic Hello Kitty mosaic statue!

Last but not least was my Sanrio visit to Sanrio World Ginza. Ginza is considered to be one of the most expensive, elegant and luxurious streets in the world and Sanrio World Ginza is equally elegant with a special sparkly entrance with Hello Kitty and My Melody made out of Swarovski. This is the largest Sanrio flagship store in the world and this store is two stories. The lower floor is dedicated all to Hello Kitty and includes a Swarovski Bling Me Shop as well as nail shop! The Swarovski shop inside Sanrio World Ginza is truly special and filled with many beautiful items.

Mission accomplished in visiting all the Sanrio Japan recommended stores! Each store is was uniquely kawaii in their own special way. I loved visiting them all and it made my Japan trip even more special.

When it came to choosing a hotel to stay at during my trip to Tokyo; it just seemed the perfect choice to choose Keio Plaza Hotel in Shinjuku! This was dream Hello Kitty trip and this place has eight inspired Hello Kitty rooms! I booked the Hello Kitty Princess room which is an elegantly dedicated room all about the princess herself; Hello Kitty!

The room is absolutely gorgeous and the attention to detail is phenomenal. The walls are all pink and simply oozing with Hello Kitty charm.

I love the bow inspired couch (with a table filled that has Hello Kitty bow water.)

There is a gigantic Hello Kitty high heel chair for good fortune!

The tea kettle and tea is even Hello Kitty inspired.

When one steps in the bathroom; one walks into the cutest bathroom ever!

I even loved the signs for the door. They were Hello Kitty inspired too!

One of the best things about staying in the Hello Kitty hotel room is the Hello Kitty breakfast room service! This was true Hello Kitty Foodie heaven. The Hello Kitty breakfast had Hello Kitty Breakfast included a Hello Kitty stamped omelette, a Hello Kitty sandwich, sides of fries, ratatouille, corn soup, salad with hello kitty shaped croutons and hello kitty shaped radishes and yogurt with a hello kitty bow candy in a apple bowl.

Staying at the Hello Kitty room was truly a Hello Kitty dream come true and I truly felt like a Hello Kitty princess.

When I finally made the decision to visit Japan; a visit to Sanrio Puroland was of course on the top of the list! It has always been my dream to visit the ultimate Hello Kitty theme park.

The trip to Sanrio Puroland first started off with getting on the train to the city of Tama where Sanrio Puroland is located. From Shinjuku Station, I took the train to Tama Center Station. Tama Center Station itself was a real treat! The station is decorated in Sanrio characters donning train conductor outfits. From stained glass ceilings to elevator doors; one can see Hello Kitty, Pompompurin, Cinnamoroll, Kiki and Lala all dressed up!

Hello Kitty has to be the cutest train conductor ever!

As one exit’s the Tama Center station; one steps into Hello Kitty’s town! This is the town that leads up to Sanrio Puroland. The town is filled with Hello Kitty walls showcasing her, her twin Mimmy, her Papa and Mama and of course her special someone, Dear Daniel!

The map of the town as well as the signs around the street all Hello Kitty inspired.

Even the stairs leading up; are Hello Kitty themed! It definitely is the cutest walkway to the themepark.

My excitement was definitely hitting an all time peak but there was nothing quite like seeing the entrance to Sanrio Puroland! It was like all of my childhood dreams coming true.

Once inside the theme park, I first hit up the Sanrio Character Boat Ride. This definitely was my favorite of the whole park. It reminds me a lot of the It’s a Small World ride in Disneyland except it’s all Sanrio characters! Throughout the ride; you step into the world of many of our favorite characters. My favorite of course was Hello Kitty and Dear Daniel.

I also went on the My Memoroad Drive! Here one gets to ride My Melody cars and all along the ride; they take pictures of you! One can choose to purchase a photo collage that you can decorate at the end of the ride.

Another favorite of mine was visiting Lady Kitty’s house! It’s so elegant and beautiful and the best part of all is you get to meet the main lady herself; Hello Kitty at the end!

In true Hello Kitty Foodie form; I had to checkout some of their food offerings as well. Everything was so kawaii! I chose to get the Hello Kitty curry! I loved the Hello Kitty shape rice and how her ribbon is made out of spam!

I also loved the Hello Kitty ramen! Ramen has never been so cute!

Sanrio Puroland was truly a dream come true and a visit that I will never forget.

Taking the Hello Kitty Eva Air Jet to Tokyo meant a layover in Taipei, Taiwan! Located at Terminal 2 of the Taoyaun International Airport is the Hello Kitty Terminal. For a Hello Kitty fan like me, it was instant Hello Kitty heaven the moment I saw it.

The first thing one sees is the bright pink Sanrio store.

There is a lovely display of the cutest Hello Kitty goods including some exclusive Taiwan Sanrio items.

There is also one giant Hello Kitty Aviator statue right up front.

The Hello Kitty Aviator seems to be the mascot of the terminal as she appears everywhere from the decor on the walls to plushes sold.

Next to the Sanrio store is the waiting area for the terminal. It includes bright pink seats as well as two play areas for children. It also has a “rainbow” step carpet with a tv that is playing a Hello Kitty cartoon.

I love all the details of the terminal. The walls are super kawaii.

I also like the circular windows that feature Hello Kitty Aviator in different poses.

The Hello a Kitty Terminal was the perfect terminal to make a stop during my Hello Kitty dream trip.

For more smiles, please see my Yelp review on the Hello Kitty Gift Gate at the Hello Kitty Terminal in Taipei.

I have always dreamed of going to Japan! Visiting the land of Hello Kitty was always on the top of my bucket list and this year it finally happened! After a lot of planning and research, I was on my way to my ultimate Hello Kitty vacation.

The best way to kick off my dream Hello Kitty trip was to find the right flight and it seemed only appropriate that I take the Hello Kitty Jet by Eva Air.

The moment I got to the airport, my excitement already started to peak. Eva Air’s checkin counter at LAX even has Hello Kitty signs for the baggage drop as well as their other checkin lines. I already knew I was off to an amazing trip!

When I got to the counter, the folks at the Eva Air handed me Hello Kitty and friends luggage tags as well as the cutest boarding pass ever. Hello Kitty, My Melody, Pompompurin, Badtz Maru and Little Twin Stars were on my ticket to my dream plane.

After going through security, finding my gate and much eagerness and excitement, I finally spotted the cute jet.

Eva Air flies several different Sanrio Jets and the one I went on was the Sanrio Family one! I really liked this one because it features a lot of Hello Kitty’s friends including Patty and Jimmy, Keroppi, My Melody and even Dear Daniel.

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As all of us lined up to our various boarding zones, I noticed that even the zone signs the Eva Air crew was holding was decorated in Hello Kitty! I loved all the details and this wasn’t even when I was inside the plane yet!

Once I boarded, it was even more cuteness galore! Every seat had a the head rest covered in a Sanrio Family head rest cover and there were Sanrio Family pillows for all.

Within each seat, there were even Hello Kitty waste bags as well as safety manuals featuring our favorite Sanrio characters.

The kawaiiness even continued on in the lavatory. The hand lotion, aroma mist, facial mist and hand soaps were all in bottles with Sanrio family characters. Even the mouth wash cups were Hello Kitty themed.

Once the flight started, the cuteness didn’t stop. When it came time to have our snacks and complimentary drinks. There was a touch of Hello Kitty everywhere. The mixed nuts had a Hello Kitty wrapping. Similarly both the hot and cold drink cups featured Hello Kitty!

When it came to having our main meals, there was also Sanrio Family utensils, placement, toothpick and wipes.

The Hello Kitty happiness continued throughout the flight as they offered the various complimentary drinks in the Hello Kitty cups.

This was truly the best way to kick off my Hello Kitty trip of my dreams! Coming soon on my next blog post is the next phase of my Hello Kitty ultimate dream trip.

I had visited the Creme de la Crêpe location in Hermosa Beach many years ago and upon spotting this crepe cafe on a visit to the Peninsula Promenade, I knew I had to checkout via Creme de la Crepe Rolling Hills. After all who cannot be crazy for crepes? 🙂

The French delight consisting of a thin pastry is quite hard to find in Southern California. much less place that offers both sweet crêpes and savoury galettes. Here at Creme de la Crêpe however they have variety of both the sweet and savory. All of their crêpes are even made with gluten-free crêpe batter. Aside from crêpes they have lovely dishes like risotto and pastas along with amazing wine selection.

I started off with getting a savory crêpe. It was hard to choose from the various savory delights. They use local & organic produce as well as grass-fed beef & free-range poultry. I ended up getting the Marocaine.

The Marocaine has jack cheese, spicy lamb sausage & madeira mushroom sauce. I don’t often get lamb but tonight I wanted to try something different and indulge in something special. Special indeed was the Marocaine. The lamb sausage was nice and tender and not spicy at all. I love the madeira mushroom sauce. There were several slices of mushroom and the sauce itself was thick and tasty.

From savory to sweet, we could not pass up getting a sweet crêpe for dessert. Our choice was the Leila.

The Leila was indeed one crêpe not to be passed up. Named after the owner’s daughter is this delightful sweet treat. In between the soft thin pastry were chunks of banana. On top of the crêpe was caramelized pecans, drizzles of caramel sauce and sprinkles of powdered sugar. The banana along with the pecans were amazing.

A perfect match with our crêpe were the delightful Lavazza Italian espressos.

Bold, rich and full of flavor; our espressos were the right companion to our sweet crepes.

Dinner at Creme de le Crepe Rolling Hills was indeed a lovely time and my visit here all proved that I am indeed crazy for crepes. Crepe crush indeed.